Engine



May 11. i926.

H. S. THORPE ENGINE Filed August 3l 1921 '7 S ets-Sheet l f "1' i llli IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY ,l-'M'ay 1L me.

. H. S. THORPE ENGINE Filed Augus't 31 1921 7 Sheets-Smm'. 2

tgv I o` NVENTOR.

BY M ATTORNEY "u o L A 1,584,567 THoRPE ENGINE 1921 7 Sheets-Smet 3 INVENTOR. ua/am d? @0W ATTORNEY.

F-led August May 11 1926.

H. s. THORPE ENGINE May 11 192s.

, 1921 7 Sheets-SheetY 4 Filed August 31 v May 11 1926-.

H. s. THORPE ENGINE 7 Sheets-Sheet G INVENTOR. www@ @uM/1,1. WM

Filed August 3l ATTORNEY I May l1 1926. 1,584,567

H. s. THORPE ENGINE Filed August 31 1921 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY mb um,

l//////%/////////////A W sm MR R x ma a Patented May 1l, 1926.

serrant orties.

HOWARD s. antenne, or oNnnns, NEW YORK.

ENGINE.

vApplication filed August 31, 1921. Serial No. 497,115.

This invention relates to engines and will be particularly described with reference to engines oi the internal combustion type.

One of the objects'o't the invention is to provide an engine capable oit delivering a inaninnnn ainount of power tor a'vniiniinuni weight.

Another object oit the invention is to provide an engine that will be compact and will occupy a small ainount oit space.

Another object of the invention is to provide an engine, preferably of the internal combustion type, in which the piston stroke or combustion space may be varied and, furthermore, may be varied while the engine is in operation.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide an engine in which the nioving parts are balanced and'theretore exceptionally tree i'roni vibration. i

Another object or" the invention is to provide an internal combustion engine that may be adapted to operate etliciently on ditterent grades of fuel and in different altitudes when used in aeroplanes.

Briefly described, the invention as illus trated comprises an engine having one or more cylinders, disposed cirouinterentialiy around the crank shaft, each cylinder having a piston therein. As shown, the pistons are double acting and each cylinder has an inlet and exhaust valve at each end thereof. ln the particular torni illustrated, the cylinders are torni-ed by partitions in an annular chaniber. rlf'he pistons are connected to the crank shaft in such a manner that the stroke inay be varied at will while the engine is operati ing and this adjustment also varies the conipression space in the cylinders. Meansis also provided for coo-ling the engine by circulating a cooling medium around the cylinders, through the cylinder heads und through the pistons.

leterring to thc drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation ot lhe engine with a part oi" one ot the sido covers removed.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation ot the flywheel ond ot' the engine with the tywheel, and covers and a part ci the gearing reinoved.

Eig. S is an end elevation of the opposite end ot the engine.

Fig. Y, longitudinal section talren subially on line el-1 ot F 3, and. look- Y, indicated .3y the arrows.

te direct.,

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially on line 5-5 ot Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

l? ig. is a sectional elevation taken substantial on the line 7 7 oi. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fie. S is a horizontal cross section of the engine taken through the center line of the shaft.

Fig. 9 is a. top view of the cent-ral portion of the engine with the top covers reinoved.

F 10 is a detail section taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Fig. 3. y

Fig. 11 is a detail section taken substantially on the line 11-11'0f Fig. 3.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail section taken through a packing ring and one of the adjustingl set screws.

vFig. 18 is an end elevation of a piston.

Fig. 11i is a top plan view of a piston.

Figjl is a section through a piston taken substantially on line 15-15 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation similar to v Fig. 7 but showing a modified orxn of crank shaft connections.

Fig. 17 is a plan View of the construction shown in Fig. 16.

Fie. 18 is a section taken substantially on line 18-18 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 19 is a plan view ot' a portion of one of the packing rings between the piston body member and the annular chamber and the coacting parts.

Fig. 2O is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 20-20 of Fig. 19 and showing the overlapping ends of the ring.

F ig. 21 is a side elevation of the packing rings shown in Fig. 19.

Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on line 22-22 Vot Fig.

Like reference characters denote like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to 1, the engine casing comprises an upper casting 1 and a lower casting 2. Each casting has two chambers 3 and 3', each chamber forming ahalt of a annular ring, preferably square or rectangular in cross section, and the chambers are accurately machined. The upper casting has a flange et secured to a cerrespoding iiange 5 on the lower casting by nuts 6 on studs carried by the ange 5 and extending through ange et, f

The Hangs 5, as shoivn in Fig. 8, has extensions 7 having lioles 3 through which bolts niay be passed to see-ure engine to a foundation.

lllhen bolted together the two chambers 3 and 3 in each casting register v-:ith each other and torni annular' chambers which con stitute or torni the cylinders 0ia the engine, as hereinafter .lescribed The casings ot the annular chambers 3 and 3 are spaced laterally, as shovvn at GS, and the crank and yoke are positioned between the two sets o' rasingjs as will hereinafter be described.

'llo keep the upper casting' l and the lower casting Q in proper alinenie-nt and to prevent the leakage ot gas troni the annular chainbers, the upper casting l is pro-vided, as shown in Figs. 6 and 3, vvith lugs 9, 'which rest on the lower casting` and which extend around the three sides et the annular chainbers 3 and 3' and tit accurately in correspendinggrooves l0 cut in the upper surface ot the lower casting' 2 around the three sides of the annular chambers formed by chainbers 3-3 and 3-3. To facilitate the description the annular chambers 'tornicd by chambers 3-3 a'id 3-3 vvill be herfai'ter described respectively as annular chambers 3 and 3.

Each annular chamber may be divided by partitions into as inany equal, separate segniental ehainbers as desired, these chanibers forming the cylinders et the engine. rthe number of the cylinders in each annular chamber is governed by the stroke required.

For the purpose ot illustrating the invention, the annular chamber 3 3 is divided by partitions 1l, l2, l3 and lst, hereinafter called cylinder heads, into tour cylinders l5, lo, 17, and 18. Likewise the annular chaniber 3 is divided by die tour cylinder heads ll', l2', .3', and A into the four cylinders l5', 1G', 17 and 1S.

As shown in Fig. G, the. cylinder heads lit accurately in slots lll cut in the outer suriaces ol the annular chambers 3 and 3 and have flanges 2O which are bolted to the castings l and 2 ivi: h the bolts nl. To prevent leakage ot past, the cylinder heads, the two surfaces ogt' the c vlinder heads which corne in contact with the tiro Walls ol the annular chainbers,` as shovvn in Figs. l() and ll, are litted with lugs which lit accurately inte correspondinev grooves Q3 in the walls oi' the annular chambers.

The castings l and 2 are formed with a 'water jacket Q-l. extending around and covering: the three surfaces oi' annular chamber 3 andvvith a natcr jacket 2l extending around and coveringr the three surtaces ot annular chambers 3. To prevent leakage of Water into the cylinders, the Water jackets Qt and 24 are interrupted in the outer surfaces of the annular chanobers by the cylinder heads, and around the three surfaces or walls of the annular chambers at the contact surfaces Where the castings l and 2 conie together. As shoivn in Figs. G and 8, the water jacket spaces ol" the upper and lower castings are connected by the passages 25 which pass outside ot the lugs 9. The passages are eucircled by grooves 2G cut in the tlanges l a nd 5 of the castings lnto these grooves 2G nictallic packing rings Q7 are accurately titled with rings ot packing 23 above and below the rings 27, the packing being At'orced tightly agai ist the rings 2T when the tvvo eastings are bolted together.

The cylinder heads have waterjacket spaces 2S formed therein which connect respectively with the Water jacket spaces Qt and Qll by niea'nsl ol' pairs et pipes 2U and 30 and 29 and 30 shovfn particularly in Figs. 1,2, 3 and 5. The pipes Q9 and 30 have tlanges 3l bolted to the main castings and conirnon lianges bolted to the cylinder heads. Likewise the pipes 29 and 30 have flanges 3l bolted to the main castings and common flanges 32 bolted to the cylinder heads.

lieten-ing to Fig. ll, to provide a thorouah circulation ot' water through the cylinder heads, the pipes ill and Q9 have elongations 33 and 33 extending almost to the inner ends et the water jacket spaces and takingthe viter troni the inner ends ol the Water jacket. spaces, While the pipes 3) and 30 deliver' the Water to the outer endsv of the water jacket spaces.

Having described the cylinder construi tion, l will novv describe the piston structure.

Accurately fitting the vralls and outer sur- Jlaces et the cylinders l5, l5, l?, and 1S, are tour pistons A, B, C, and D. These four pistons, as shown in Figs. dr and G, are secured to and project outwardly from the outer surface ot a cylindrical shaped body 3l vvhich will hereinafter be called the piston body or body luenlben". lii'kcvfisc arcurately tilting (he walls and outer surl'afrs ot' the cylinderC l5. itl', 17 and 3 are tour piston jt, ll, C and l. these ''our pistons forming 'our projections on the outer sui-'tace ot the piston bodv 3l. the piston bodies 3l and 3l. torni the inner wall ot' and close the annularchambers 3 and il completingf the cylindersI 15. lo, li' and lf". and the cylinders l, 16, li and l. 'the pi bodies accurately lit agaii t the outer surfaces of' the c vliuders.

:is shon'n in Figs. i3 and l-l. the three surrafics oi the pistons that come iu Contact with the side ualls and outer the cylinders are slotted. afi indicated al 233 siu'laces ol (three slots being: shown). into these slots' are accurately fitted angular pistou ring-vs 33. each ri being torincc in tivo parl laeh part el'. nds along one side ot the pie t n ane par" across the outer surface,

loo

forming an angle at the corner of the piston, and the two parts of the ring overlap on the outer surface oit the piston. The overlapping parts ot the rings are spaced or staggered so as not to come opposite each other.

The rings are pressed out against `the walls and outer surfaces and the outer corners ot the cylinders by springs e6. 'lhese rings prevent the leakage et or other fluid past the pistons. The rings entend a' short distance inside the outer surface of the piston bodies so that no gas can escape past the ends.

fis shown in Figs. G and 1l, the inner surfaces oit the cylinder heads are similarly slotted and litted with packing members 37 resiliently actuated by springs 38 into engageinent .ith the outer cylindrical surface of, the piston body member. The members 3T arey straight and extend slightly beyond the wallsot the cylindei.' heads and prevent leakage ot gas past the inner surfaces ot the cylinder heads.

shown in Figs. El, ll and l2, the outer corners of the piston body members 3d and 34. entend beyond the sides ci the annular chambers and are cut ott and in the` triangular space between the body members 84 and 34 and the castings l and 2 are fitted metallic packing members or rings 39, shown particularly and in detail in Figs. 12', 19, 20

and 2l. Each packing ring 39 has its ends overlapping in the common and well known manner. The surfaces or contact of the piston body members yand of the packing rings 39 are termed, respectively, with grooves 40 and lugs el, the lugs on the packing ring registering or working in corresponding grooves on a piston body member and Vice versa. Corresponding' lugs and grooves are formed on another side ot the ring and the adjacent surface o' the annular chamber, as shown in Figs. l2 and 2l. ln each instance the width ot a groove is greater than the width oi? the lug that wors in it to allow the packing rings to be set up as they wear. The packing rings are of softer met-al than the piston bodies so that they receive the wear. The rings are adjusted and the taken up by means ot the set screws /lO locked by lock nuts 41. The purpose ot the s and lugs is to reduce the :trictional ces andinake it more dillicult ttor any r liuid to escape along the lines ot conbetween the pistou body members and 'Vlie piston body member 34, as shown in Figs. 3 and T, has Jformed Vthereon or secured on yoke i2 has a central circular 'lllie p opening .3 through which the crank shaf t entends. rlhe circular portion is slotted at its upper aart and four parallel arms Liet ar secured to the end ot the yoke. ll ie arms it are arranged in twopairs and torni guides tor a sliding beziring etti, Vcoinlning the more nient ot the bearing. Likewise the piston body Si is formed with a piston yoke d2 with a central circularl opening 453. The, low r portion of the piston yoke il-QQ instead ot the upper portion as in the other piston yoke7 has four parallel arms dei which Ytorni guides ifor the sliding bearing As shown in Fig. G9 the piston body 3% and the pistons A, B, C and l), are tormed with a water jacket space do, rhich extends around the piston body and into each piston, the -water being directed into the pistons by the partitions e7 across the pistons. The ijiartitions have openings i8 in their outer ends through which the water circulates. lli/later is admitted to a passage Li9 in the piston yoke e2 through a hose 50, connection being' made between the hose and yoke by an elbow nipple 5l. The water then circulates entirely around the piston body member and various pistons and is taken out through a passage in the piston yoke and a hose 58 which is connected to the yoke by means of an elbow nipple Likewise the piston body 3i and the pistons A, B, C and D are formed with similar water jackets and with similar water passages in the piston yoke. rlhe water is admitted to the piston yoke by the hose 50 and taken out through the hose 53.

The crank shaft 55, as shown in lugs e ind 8, passes through the axial center ot he castings l and and through the centra-l openings and -iB in the piston yokes and 4t2. lhe siiatt 55 turns in bearing bones a6 and mounted in slots 57 cut in the bearing supports and 59 and 58 and 59 which term a part of and extend diametrically across the lower casting The shaft bearings and 56 are secured tothe supports 53 and 5J and 58 and 59 by bolts (50 at each end ot' each bearingand passing through lugs (il ttoriiicd on the supports.

Two rims (3:2 are bolted to the castings l and 2 by bolts (i8 and are formed with :langes 611; which are bolted to the supports 58 and by the bolts These rims bear against the inner surface of the piston body member and assist in supioii'ting the niemher. Lil-ewise the rinis .62 gire bearing supportto the piston body Ell and are bolted in similar iiianncr lo the castings l and f3 and the bearers 5S and 59.

',lhe crank on the sha;t 55 consists of a crank pin 66 and crank arms GT and turns between the bearings 56 and 56 in the space 68 between the casings oLt the annular chambers 3 and 3. As shown in Fig'. '7, the crank pin G6 works in a sliding bearing9 the upper part 69 ot which is bolted to the lower part EO by the bolts C71. The bearing is tree to slide up and down in a yoke 7;?. which will hereii'ieller he 'exiled the shrill yoke lo dis l'ingll'nish il; ''roln he piscon 'vele Luge T3 en the bearing' (S9-7G prevent movement o che ed and shaft 3 laterallyv SIDES ill' inward diep 1 -l l. "f V f here e.) and nl) nvi 1 TT' 's 'l' und l5). n'onnd lie Aerdine inlo the A 'l iw pislo; yoke 512A. The 'li'nne 7T slides along' lov horizoncl guide rois T9. As shovel] in Fig'. 1S, the guide 'ods "5) end T9 :ne e- `ried h v soelel's SO lor; le fell join lhe tivo Aice rods T9 :1nd vogm n reeangnlnr lS), `.lich supports und lhe lrunie 7T. he members Sl are 'ernied vvil'h sleeves S2 on their ends which slide .'eicicellyv on four vertical guide rods Q" These e' Tide rods 83 pass through Soek- The ets -'l Fig. on che castings l and :'2, the tops el' the ginds rods being heeded und Ythe boli :ns lireaded and seenrecl` hy 'y n lil inner The tivo lower f 1 ,v t1.

ne limned e) ne liorirconl'nl guide r ineinhers Sl ol vvhiei 'die sockets S() forni parts. The guide rode T9 end the meinhers Sl hns 'form e, rectangular freine v-.f'hleh supp-Oris and guides l'he 'frame 7T. rl`he naen'herr Si are. 'formed with sleeves SQ in helr ends` vJhicl lide. vealicnlhv on lhe guide 'lxvo'gh they eenler of ille nin- A iidvmy helneen the. guide "e v elle: l lapped holes 152. lthe niur=er 1r, ers Sl having' riejhl'. hand or le'l'l hand l'ln'ce'fls and the lovver mend: rs Sl 'llmmg'h flics-e ng: im);

having' jhe oppeszl'e {lr-feeds.

lhre'nled hole ille fflrlicnl r lili) 'Iris each red hiavi ogrrnsie lh` E on u nijy-,er and lower en ce'n'resnonfling le the fhieuds on ll`-e lesliec'liiVA melnhers lin' which il` pnsses. AThe members fill l'lrrongh und :1re re'elinhle in sleeves 5l? in the e1:Y 5in. s l :und 9.. lille sockels fll and lne flee: Se heine; eonnecl'cd 'ogrher, ln' lg);-

:1nd joinine .e :nin Aler :is snovvn secured lo 1 rest on Qinned 1re ille Milliers of each casting' l and Fie, 2Q. l'forin .fgexns S7 el mnner ends o the rods 86 1 d upner sleeves Si'. Collars are S6 se 9 l. lo the lower ends of lne roes to rods zlgainsl upward inoven'ient. The worin gears engage Worms 90 keyed lo or lorie d on sh; lit Sl, which is mounted in The hearings are 'formed 3 larings 9;. f

the upper part of ,'e refilled hy z Wheel (not shown) o' hy :1n electric enf' ol'her .L15-ital le pmver.

' l lx .TT und 7T or recede W l 1 en le rods S3 pass, nst cese. und lille .@joekj L Lin'- slop` The second cese. The space lt" between lhe ezxsires o'l the annuler 1nd 3 erelee d nl llxe or plete .(lleidendin'; :wref-1s du eme ruling' neri: of: llxe casting' l movable plat 1 Y on me rien.

O 1 screws 9i. `he on cloffed hv tivo reni l jeelions Q9 en llze nienil'rere cenluinil'lg the soeles l-l :inf the. sleeves ST und to pr 1'ecllons l0!) o 93 overlva l l 1e 1.1 .l Y me olnei elche the center o set/ l vo 'pluies heine' used instead or" one giving; e .cess lo the c' e hv the reinovnl el" one plaie.

rEhe vulve mechanism will next re described und etenien 1s xrUctilln'lv directed to Figs. 5, G and Ges 1s l e cylinders on euch i c vline ld liln ,ugh porls lOl "e lOZ end evlmnslged from 'lle .seine porfis hv lhe one inlel vxilve @il lilla i). lll? u. one 1. vulve olxz'n'il l :o common valve Chmn- .'sed in extensions IOT; el The vvlve eheinlzers i: eflch exlenslen '105 ere separated l1); lhe pn rlilions lOS. r"ille, vfzfls und pzzrfiilf'rr; ol' the extensions 11H71 :1re 'lornicd n'l'h wrler jrn'lff'ts l0? which join vcilh end forni purl oi" the Writer jack-els 2l :md 2l o? die cylinders. Each vslve clxznnlver lOl if: in'ovided vfih ilu" il occasion .'eelnire end vfifh lhremled l0? threnfh which fhe inle vulves source. ol: cnrrenl', (nel shown). l; :'h ol the, set of eigrhl' vulve clwmlrerf`I lOl 'for euch annuler eheniher il und il is connected with an exhunsc chandler ll(). the exhaust clmmbers ll() heine; Yformed in erz'cnsions lll of Jhe castings l und 9. und goining und formpnr elf ille, erfzensiens ",Vlw; exhaust L `exhaust eht chambers 110 are formed with water ackets 112 Ywhich join with and form part of the water jackets 24 and 24 and 107. Admission fr i the valve chambers 104 to the eX- haust chambers 110 is controlled by the ei:- haust Vvalves 103. As shown yin F 4, the ibers are connected by a passage 113 in an extension 114 in the bottom of casting 2, the extension being formed with a water jacket 115 which joins and forms part of the water jackets 24'and 24 and 112. r)The partition 116 in the water jacket 115 separates the water jackets of the two annular chambers.

Gas is supplied to the valve chambers 104 by the gas manifolds 117 and 118. rEhe manifold 117 is connected to four valve chambers of the annular chamber 3 and to four valve chambers of the annular chamber 3 to one side of the center of the engine and the manifold 118 is connected to the other valve chambers of the annular cham-` bers 3 and 3 on the other side of the center line of the engine. The flanges 119 of the manifolds 11'.,7 and 118 are bolted to the efrtensions 105 by the bolts 120. Admission from the manifolds 117v and 118 to the valve chambers 104 is controlled by the inlet valves 102. VThe manifolds 117 and 118V may be connected to two separate carburetors or the manifolds may be joined and connected to a single carburetor, the carburctors not being illustrated.

The inlet valves 102 andthe exhaust valves 103 have their valve stems 121 screwed into extensions 122 and secured by lock nuts The extensions 122 areformed with seats 124 for valve springs 125. rllhe eX- tensions 122 slide in bearings 126 formed in the lugs 127 and 128 on the castings 1 and 2, the lugs 12'? being curved upward and the lugs 128 curving downward. The bearings 126 are split to allow removal of the valve extensions 122 and are secured by the. bolts 129. The inner ends of the valve extensions 122 are bifurcated at 130 to receive rollers 131 rotatably carried by pins 132. The rollers 131 cams 133, the ends of the bifurcations 130 extending beyond the rollers 131 and overlapping the cams 133 to retain the rollers in alignment with the cams. Vllwo sets of cams 133 are provided, each set operating a set of inlet valves and a set of exhaust valves for one set of cylinders. The parts of the valve extensions 122 between the bearings and the cams 133 are curved so that the rollers of each set of inlet and ei;- haust valves come in contact with the cams at equal distances around the cams or, in lother words, are spaced equal angles around the cani axis.

Each cam 133 is formed integral with or has secured thereto a gear 134, each cam and gear rotating freely on the crank shaft of the engine. As shown in Fig. 8, the gears 134 mesh with gears 135 secured to shafts 136 and im. Gears 138 areV also secured to the gear shafts 136 and 13T-and mesh with gea-rs 139 secured to the crank shaft 55. The rotation of the crank shaft therefore causes the rotation ofthe cams 133 in the same direction, the ratio of the gears 134 and 135 and 133 and 139 being such that the cams 133 will rotate at one-fourth of theV speed of the crank shaft. The gear shafts 136 and 137 rotate in bearings 140 which are formed in extensions of the flanges 5 and the ID supports 53 and 58. v

As shown in Fig. 4, the ends of the engine are closed by covers preferably formed inA two sections 142 and 143 screwed to lugs 141,

formed on the extensions 111 of the castings 1 and 2, with machine screws 94. The flanges of the upper covers 142 are bolted to the flanges of the lower covers 143 by 1n starting the engine theV tl -wheel ma be f b b turned over by a hand crank, electric starter or other suitable means.

The cooling water is deliveredl by the pump to the water jacket 115 in the extension 114 of the casting 2 through the passage 146, the water circulating up and around the annular chamber 3, its valve chambers, exhaust chamber, and cylinder heads to the topof annular chamber 3 Vwhere it leaves through pipe 147 and passes through the hose 50 which connects the pipe 147 to the piston yoke 42. The water then circulates up and around the piston body 34 and the pistons A, B", C, and vD and is taken from the yoke by the hose 53 and delivered through the pipe 148 and the Vpassage v149 to the water jacket space 115 in the extension 114 on the other side of the partition 116. The water then circulates up and around the annular chamber 3, its valve chambers, exhaust chamber and cylinder heads to the top of annular chamber 3 where it leaves through the pipe 150 and passes through the hose 50 which connects the pipe 150 to the piston yoke 42. Thence it circulates around the piston body 34 and the pistons A, B, C and D, and is taken from the piston yoke by the hose 53 which is connected to the pipe 151 through which the water is returned to the supply tank or other receptacle, or may be led through a cooling radiator.

the` f machine screws and nuts 94v (see F ig. 1)

1n Figs. 16 and 17 a modified construction i closely to that already described and parts coninion to both Jiiorins of structure are indicated by like reference characters.

1n the niodified forni shown in these figures, however, the crank GG on the crank shaft is connected by a pitnian or connecting rod 1GO to a stud shaft 161 carried by the yoke 72. r1`his connection eliininates lthe bearing 69, 70, shown in Fig. 7 and is soniewhat simpler.

The engine is assein'bled as follows:

The cylinder heads are bolted to the castings 1 and 2 and the pipes 29 and 30 and 29 and 30 bolted in place. rEhe` casting 2 'is lthen placed von the engine foundation.

The sliding bea' parts G9 and 70 are placed in their relative positions in the shaft yoke 7 2. The brace nieinber 7-1 is then bolted on the yoke'. The 'frames 77 and 77 are next secured Vto thev shaft yoke 2 in their proper relative positions. The horizontal guide rods 7 9' and 79 are then placed in their respective frames 77 and 7-7.. Then the rods 8G are 'threaded into openings in `menibers S1 and 81. The nieinbers 81 and 81 are then mounted on their respective guide rods 79 and 79" and the rods are secured in the sockets 80. The sliding bearings 45 and 45 are then mounted on their respective guide arins 141 and ed in the piston yokes 42 and 42". The packing rings 39 are then placed in position and the packing inenibers are fitted to the various pistons and cylinder heads. The bearing f5 with the piston body 3d is then inountedon the arni 7S of the trarne 77 and the bearing L1i Vwith the piston body in enibers 3e is their slid ontothe arin 7S of the frame 77.

Thetwo piston bodies 31 and 35i with the frames 77 and 77 and the shaft yokel 72 and the' guide rods 79 and 79 with the ineinbers- 81'and 81 are then lowered into the casting 2, the rods SG being i'nounted in the sleeves S7 in the casting 2.

The casting 1 is then lowered onto the casting 2', the packing 28' and the rings 27 having first been put in place, thev sleeves ST sliding over the rods S6. The fianges el and 5 of the castings are then secured by the studs and nuts 6^. The slide plates 76 are then bolted over the arins 7 5 of the shaft yoke 72. The four Vertical guide rods S3 are 'then passed through the sockets 84 on the castings and the sleeves 82 in the nieni bers'Sl and 81 and are secured by the nuts 85. vThe worin gears 88 and t-he collars 39' are then secured to the rods S6. The shaft 91 with the worins 90 is thenv secured in the bearings 92.

The crank shaft is then passed through the piston yokes 42 and 42 the sliding bear-v ing parts 69 and 70 being separated until the crank is in position and then bolted together with the bolts 71. rIlhe crank shaft bearings 56 and 561 are then secured in position by the bolts G0. The canis 133 with their gears 13 are niouiited on the crank shaft. he gears 139 are then secured to the crank shaft. Gears 135 and 138 are then held in position while the gear shafts 136 and 13? are inounted in the bearings 1l() and secured to the gears 135 and 13S.

r1`he inlet valves 102 and the exhaust valves 103 are then placed on their proper seats, the valve springs 125 placed over the valve steins 121, and the Valve extensions screwed to the Valve steins and secured by the lock nuts 123, the rollers 131 being placed in contact with the cani-1: 133. The flanges 110 oi" the gas inanilfolds are then bolted to the extensions 105 and the carburetors secured to the nianii'olds. The pipes 148, 150, and 151 are then secured in place and the hose 50 and 53 and 50 and 53 connected up. r`he side covers 95 and the top covers 3 and the end 'ivers 1l2 and 1413 are 'then secured in place. The flywheel is then placed in position on the shaft Y and secured by the nut 11S- lThe engine operates as ii'ollows:

r)The pistons A, B, C and D, operare respectively in the cylinders 15, 1G, 1T and 1b' and the pistons B', C and D reciprocate respectively in the cylinders 15', 1f", 1i" a id 13. While the pistons are moving in the direction indicated by the arrow Y (Fig. (3), the pistons ii, ll, C, and 1) are nioving in the opposite direction indicated by the dashed arrow V; that is, the pistons A, B, C and D are opposed in direction to the pistons B', C and D. The piston A. ieeiprocates to the positions shown by the dashed lines a and The compression space between the piston A and the cylinder head 11 is denoted by 11a and the compr ion space between the piston i and, the cylinder head 12 is denoted by 12b. Similarly the other coinpression spaces will be denoted by 12a, 13b, 13, 111D, 11, and 11b in the cylinders 11, 12, 13 and lei. Likewise the coinpressioii spaces in the cylinders 11` 12', 13 and lei will be denoted by 11", 12, 12"", 13, 13'21, 11", lu and 11". rll'he pistons are double-acting and like operations occur in opposite cylinders at the saine time so as to balance the pressure on the piston bodii,...

jrs represented in the drawings, and particularly in Fig. 6, the gas in the compres sion spaces 11a and its opposite coinpi ion space 13:1 has been fired and the inlet and exhaust valves 11 and 13l are closed. The in the compression spaces 12" and 1l" is being compressed, the inlet and exhaust Valves 102 and 103 lor compression spaces 12b and 14B being also closed. The ccn'ipression spaces 121L and 11 are receiving gaf. the inlet and exhaust ralves 122l and 1l lic ing open and, closed cspectireliz "lhc coinpression spaces 13b and 11" are ezfhaus'ngi gas, the inlet and exhaust aires 102 and lti n fi' nu 103 for these spaces being closed and open respectively. 'lhus the tiring4 order in the cylinders 11, 12, 13 and 1li is as follows: 11a and 13"-, 12b and 14", 12a and 1an, and 13b and 11b.

ln like manner in the cylinders 11', 12', 13 and 14 the firing order at the corresponding moments is as follows: 12"" and 1er/b', 1221 and 14", 13" and llb, 13W and 11m. rl'he combined firing order is: lla, 13a, 12" and 14W; 12b, leb, 12" and l-la; 12a 1451, 13W and 11", and 13b, 11b, 13" and 11".

While the piston yolre 42 reciprocates in the angle denoted by the dotted lines R, the arm Z3 Working in the sliding bearing lmoves back and forth to the positions denoted by the dashed circles nl and N, being constrained to move alongk the horizontal line zu, y, because the frame T7 of which the. arm 73 is a part slides along the horizontal guide rods 79. ln like ma nier the arm 73 inthe sliding bearing 4:5 .is caused., by the reciprocation of the yolre e142 to move along av parallel line in the same direction and at the saine time that the arm 78 moves along the line x, c.

rlhus the frames Z7 and moving baci;- and-forth in the same direciion at the saine time cause the shaft yoke 72 tor ciprocate and with the sliding bearing @Sh-70 acting on the crank pin cause the shaft to rotate rlfhe gears 139 lined .on the shaft 55 cause the rotation of the gears 135 and 133 Which in turn cause the rotation of the gears 134 and the cams 133 operatin' the inlet and exhaust valves at the proper tiine and in the proper sequence.

llifhile the engine is running, the compression spaces can all be simultaneously enlarged or made smaller by Vrotating the shaft 91 in the desired direction.' For instance, if

` the shaft 91 is rotated in such a direction as to bring the frame 7'? and consequently the arm 73 to a. position near the anis of the cra-nl; shaft, the arm 78 Will move alone' a horizontal line sucli as l'l, J, and the piston yoke l2 Will be caused to reci ^rocate to the position denoted by the dot and dash lines S, causing the piston A to reciprocate to the positions indica-ted by the dot and dash lines l? and Q3, and vthe other pistons ll, C and D to similar positions. ln like manner, at the same time that the arm Z3 lowered to the line H, J, the arm 73 is raised a. corresponding distance, causing the pistons A, B, C and D to reciprocate to positions similar to those shown by the dot and dash lines l and Q.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that an engine has been provided that will develop a maximum amount of power for its Weight and Will be n'ell balanced and exceptionally free from vioration. f

Furthermore, means has been provided for varying the piston stroke and compression space, thereby fitting the engine for use With different grades of fuel and also for use in airplanes, since the compression space can be varied to suit the altitude and rare fied air.

rlhis adjustability of the compression space is also useful when the engine is throttled down as the space or volume may be decreased and may be increased when the engine is opened up.

Although an internal combustion engine has been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that the engine may be made to operate on any other fluid, such as steam. lf constructed as a steam engine, the Water jackets may be eliminated.

Furthermore, as an internal combustion engine, the engine may be constructed to operate on either the tivo-cycle or fourcycle principle, although for thepurposes of illustration the latter cycle Was Chosen.

Also, the number of cylinders in each annular chambcrinay be varied and as many sets of cylinders or annular chambers may be used, as desired. v

n conclusion, therefore, although certain specic embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described, l do not intend to limit myself to this exact structure, but Wish it understood that further changes in the construction and in the arrangement of the various co-operating parts may be made Without departing from the spi it or scope of the invention., as expressed in the following claims:

llfhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. ln an engine, an arcuate cylinder, a piston oscillatable therein and means for changing the stroke of the piston during the operation of the engine.

2. ln an engine, a cranl: shaft, a cylinder disposed circumferentially with respect to said shaft, a piston oscillatable in said cylinder and operatively connected to said shaft and means to vary the compression space in the cylinder.

ln an engine, a crank shaft, a cylinder disposed circuinferentially With repect to said shaft, a piston oscillatable in aid cylinder and operatively connected to aid shaft and means to vary the compres ion space in the cylinder during the operazien of Athe engine.

l, ln an engine, a crank shaft, a cylinder disposed circumferentially with respect to said shaft, a piston oscillatable in said cylinder and operatively connected to said shaft and means to vary the stroke of the piston. y

ln an engine, a cranl: shaft, a. plurality of cylinders disposed circumferentially with respect to the shaft, and pistons eseillata ile in said cylinders and operatively connected to said shalt.

(3. In -i engine, a crank shaft, a pluiailitv o: cylinders disposed circuint'ei'entially with respect to the slia" pistons oscillatalile iu sii-'l c i/'linders and operativel)1 coniiefsted to said slia'lft and nieani-i to siniultaneIiL-li' \'a.i' \v lie compression s )ace in each index'.

T. ln au enwine. a crank shaft, a plurality nl' cj lisposed eircuintereiitiall.' with re peet to the shaft7 pistons oscillatalile in .s id cylinders :ind ope fativeljv connected to .said siia't and nieans to simultaneously var v the conn-pression space in each cylinder during the Lon ot the engine.

' shalt. a phii i. i .'alit v ol cylinders disposed cireiniiterentia'lt). i'alit)v o isnosed eii'cuniterentially with sha/Zt, pistons oscillataolc i 'i s and opeiativelj,vv connet'ted to .1 l ineans to siniultaneouslv vai-3v t frohe in each cylinder.

9. n :in ene-Vie a crav il; shaft, a plulatahle iii said cylindei -eiativelgv connected to said shaft .ind ine;` -z to siinultaneonsl)v vary tlie piston stroiie in each cylinder during the operation ot' the, engine.

l0. ,in an engiie, a i'aiilt sha'lft, an annular elian'iliier surrounding' said crank shaft,-

't'itions in said eliaiiilier i'oi'ii'iiiig cylinder it.. ls and dividing the eliaiiilier into a plu- .'alityF of cylinders. a ineinber oseillatalile in said chainliei' and having radially extending' portions disposed in si-.id cylinders and orinine' pistons and nieans operatively connecting' said oseillatalule n'ieinliei' to said crank sha-ft.

l1. In an engine, a crank shaft, an annular eliainh i' surrounding ...aid crank shaft, partitions in said chainlier forming cylinder heads and dividing the cli: inhei into a plui'alitj,v ot' cylinders, a ineinher seillatahle Vin said chainlier loi'ining the inner wall of said chamber and having ontu-'ardly extendi'ig portions disposed in said cylinders and forming pistons and ineens operatively connecting` said oscillatalile ineinlier to said cranlv shaft.

portions disposed in sii", lindei's and i'orn'iiiiepistons, ineans ope' e Conn-ectiiig' said oseillatahle'ineni sai(` crank sha-'ft and packing inenih oltiveen the cliainhei' partitions and einher and lictiveen said pistons ani1 13. In an engine, a eranl: s i

lar chamber surround iali'titions in said chamber 'oi'iiiinff cvliiider heads and dividing the cl'iainlier into a plui'alityv or Cylindersj a ineriliervoseillalalile in -iiigjg' portions disposed iii seid cylinders and "oiining' pistons, means operatively connect- `np sail oseillatalfle ineinlier to .Caid crank .Jlialit and iiieaiis for \"ai"ving tlie 'degree of oscillation oi" said oscilla :ilile inenilier.

l5'. in an engine, a cranl; shaft.y an annular chamber surrounding said crank shalt.y partitions iii said cliainl'ier 'foi-innigy cylinder heads and dividing' the chainlier into a plurality ol" elvlindei's, a ineinlier oscillatalile in said cliainlier and having oiitiva 'dly extending portions disposed in said cylinders and lorn'iing pistons7 ineans operatively connecting said oseillatalile ineinliei' to said crank and inczins Yfor vai'yir1 the degree oi" shaft l oscillation of said oseillatahle nien'iher dni'- iiig the operation ol the engine.

1C. in an engine, Cranl; shaft. a plurality ot cylinders disposed eircuintei'entially with respect to the Shaft, pistons oscillatalile in said cylinders and operatively7 connected to said shalt, Water jacizets on said Cylinders, vater jackets in said pistons and a. continuous circulation suvsteni lor said jackets.

17. In an engine, a cranl: shaft. a plui'alityv of sets of eir .inntereiitiallvv disposed cylinders encircling said. shaft, a piston cillatable in each cylinder of each set and operative connections between said piston-i and the crank shalt.

1S. In an engine, a crank slialt, a plui'a ity of sets of eireuinterentially disposed cylinders encircling said shaft, a doulile aeting' piston oscillatalile iii eac-li cylinder ol each set, iiieans 'for admitting' and exhausting` a actuating' fluid on eaeli side ot' each pist-0n and operative coiiiieetionsl lietiveen said pistons and the cranl: shaft.

19. In an engine. a crank shaft. :in annular cliainbei' suri'ounoing said ci'aiilf slia'l't, partit-ions in said cliaii'ill-r forming; c vlindei' heads and dividing' the cliainheif into a of cylinders disposed circumferentially with respect to the shaft, and pistons oscillatable in said cylinders and adjustably connected to said shaft.

21. In an engine, a crank shaft, a plurality of sets of circumferentially disposed cylinders encircling said shaft, a piston oscillatable in each cylinder of eacn set operative connections between said pistons and the crank shaft and means for simultaneously varying the stroke of each of said pistons.

22. In an engine, a crank shaft, a pair of multiple cylinder units, pistons in the cylinders of said units, operative connections between said pistons and said shaft and means for simultaneously changing the stroke of each of said pistons during the operation of the engine.

23. In an engine, a crank shaft, a pair of multiple cylinder units, pistons in the cylinders of said units, operative connections between said pistons and said shaft and meansfor simultaneously changing the stroke of each 'of'said pistons;

24. In an engine, a crank shaft, a pair of multiple cylinder units, pistons in the cylinders of said units, operative connections between said pistons and said sha-ft and means for simultaneously lengthening or shortening the stroke of each of said pistons during the operation of the engine.

25. In an engine, a crank shaft, a pair of multiple cylinder` units, pistons in the cylinders of said units, operative connections between said pistons and said shaft and means for simultaneously changing the compression space in each of the cylinders.

26. In an engine, a crank shaft, a pair of multiple cylinder units, pistons in the cylinders of said units, operative connections between said pistons and said shaft and means for simultaneously changing the compression space in each of the cylinders at each end thereof.

27..In an engine, a crank shaft having a crank, a plurality of cylinders circumferentially arranged around said shaft, pistons in said cylinders, a member secured to said pistons and disposed between the cylinders and the shaft, a yoke connected to thev crank on the crank shaft, and adjustable connectplurality of cylinders in said chamber, an oscillatable body member disposed between the chamber and said crank shaft and forming the inner wall of said chamber and cylinders and adjustable packing means between the body member and the. side walls of said chamber.

30. In an engine, a crank shaft, an annular chamber surrounding said shaft, a plurality of cylinders in said chamber, an oscillatable body member disposed between the chamber and said crank shaft and forming the inner wall of said chamber and cylinders and packing means between the body member and the side walls of said chamber and means for adjusting said packing means to take up wear.

3l. In combination, a pair of relatively movable members, a packing member positioned between said members having a plurality of ribs coacting with ribs on one of the relatively movable members to pack the joint between said relatively movable members and means for adjusting the packing member to take up wear.

32. An engine comprising a crank shaft, a plurality of sets of cylinders circumferentially arranged with respect to said shaft and disposed side by side in spaced relation, pistons oscillatable in said cylinders and a yoke operatively' connected to said crank shaft and to the pistons in each set of cylinders.

33. An engine comprising a crank shaft, a plurality of sets of cylinders circumferen- 106 tially arranged with respect to said shaft and disposed side by side in spaced relation, pistons oscillatable in said cylinders and a yoke disposed between the sets of cylinders and operativelyv connected to said crank shaft and to the pistons in each set of cylinders.

34. An engine comprising a crank shaft,

a pluralityof sets 'of cylinders circumferen` tially arranged with respect to said shaft 110 and disposed side by side in spaced relation, pistons oscillatable in said cylinders, a yoke operatively connected to said crank shaft and to the pistons in each set of cylinders, and means for changing the stroke of said pistons.

`35. An engine comprising a crank shaft, a plurality of sets of cylinders circumferentially arranged with respect to said shaft and disposed side by side in spaced relation, pistons oscillatable in said cylinders, a yoke operatively connected to said crank shaft and to the pistons in each set of cylinders, and means for simultaneously changing the stroke of all of said pistons.

36. An engine comprising a crank shaft, a plurality of sets of cylinders circumferen-- tially,tarrangycdl with respect to saidd shaft and disposed side by side in spaced relation, pistons oscillatable said cylinders, 'a yoke 1539 operatively connected to said crank shaft and' to the pistons in each set of cylinders, and means for changing the stroke of said piston during the operation of the engine.

3f'. n engine com 'sing acrank shaft, a plurality of sets ot' cylinders circumferentially arranged with respect to said shafty and disposed side by side in spaced relation, pistons oscillatable in said cylinders, a yoke` operatively connected to said crank shaft and to the pistons in each set of cylinders, andy means for simultaneously changing` the stroke of all of said pistons duringl the operation of the engine.

3S. 2in engine comprising a crank shaft, a plurality of sets of cylinders circumferentially arranged with respect to said shaft and disposed side by side in sliacedtrelation, pistons oscillatable in said cylinders and operative connections between said sets of pistons and the crank shaft and means for,

changing the stroke of the pistons.

39. An engine comprising` a crank shaft, a plurality of' sets of cylinders circumferentially arranged with respect to said shaft and disposed side by side in spaced relation, pistons oscillatable in said cylinders and operative connections between said' sets of pistons andthe crank shaft and means for simultaneously changing,` the stroke of the pistons during the operation of the engine.

10. An engine comprising,- a crank shaft, a pair of sets of cylinders circumferentially arranged' with respect to saidshaft',.pistons operable in each set of cylinders, a yoke connected to said crank shaft, and; operative connections between one set of pistons and the yoke above the axis of the shaft and operative connections between the other set of pistons and the yoke below the axis of the shaft, the two sets ofl pistons being adapted to oscillate simultaneously in opposite directions.

ll. An engine comprising a' crank shaft,

a pair of sets of cylinders circumferentially arranged wit-h respect to said shaft, pistons operable in each set of cylinders, a yoke connected to said crank shaft, andr operative connections between one set of pistons and the yoke above the axis of the shaft and operative connections between the other set ot' pistons and the yoke below the axis of thel shaft, the two sets of pistons being adapted to oscillate simultaneously in opposite directions, said yoke being disposed between said-sets of cylinders.

i2. An engine comprisingT a crank shaft, a pair of sets of cylinders circnniferentially arranged with respect to said shaft, pistons operable in each set of cylinders, a yoke connected to said crank shaft, operative connections between one set of pistons and the yoke above the axis of the shaft, operative connections between the other set of pistons and the yoke below the axis of the shaft, the two sets of pistonsl being adapted to oscillate simultaneously in opposite directions, said yoke being disposed between said sets of cylinders, and means for moving the connections between the pistons and yoke toconnections between the other set of pistons and the yoke below the axis of the shaft, the twol sets of pistons being adapted to oscillate simultaneously in opposite directions, saidf yoke being` disposed between said sets of cylinders, andt means for simultaneously movingthe connections between all of the pistons andyoke toward or away from said crank shaftall. An engine comprisingl a crank shaft. a pair of sets of cylinders circinnfercntially arranged with respect to said shaft, pistons operable in each set of cylinders, alyokc connected to saidlcrank shaft, operativeconneetions betweenone set ofA pistons and the yoke above tihe axis of the shaft, operative connect-ions between the otherv set of pistons and the yoke below the axis vof. the'shatt., the two sets of pistons being adaptedI to oseillate'siinultaneously inl opposite direction, said yoke being disposed between saidf sets of cylinders, and' means for simultaneously mov-filipY the connections between all: ot the pistons and yoke. toward or away from said crank shaft', during the operation of the engine.

In an ergine, a crank shaft, a plurality of cylinders circuinferentially arranged around said shaft', a piston in each cylinder, inlet and exhaust. valves at each end of'each cylinder and: means vtor simultaneously changing the compression space at each end of c aclrcylinder during the operation ot the engine.

4C. ln an engine, a crank shaft, a pluralityy of cylinders cireuinferentially arranged around said shaft', a piston in cach cylinder, inlet andy exhaust valves at cai-h end of each cylinder and means for simultaneously changing` the stroke of each piston while the engine is operating.

T. A n engine coniprising: a crank shaft, a pair of sets of' cylinders circuinferentially arranged with respect to said shaft as a center, pistons operable in each set of eviinders and operative winner-tions lietweeu one set. ofy pistons and the crank shaft above the axis ofl the shaftv and operative connections between the other set of pistons and the crank shaft below the axis of the shaft,

the two sets of pistons being adapted to oscillate simultaneously in opposite directions.

48. An engine comprising a crank shaft, a pair of sets of cylinders circumferentialh7 arranged with respectto said shaft, pistons operable in each set of cylinders and operative connections between one set of pistons and the crank shaft above the aXis of the shaft and operative connections between the other set of pistons and the crank shaft below the axis of the shaft, and inlet and exhaust ports ateach end of each cylinder and port control means so constructed and arranged that the two sets of pistons will oscillate simultaneously in opposite direetions. Y

49. In an engineya crank shaft7 an lannular chamber surrounding said sha-ft, partitions in said chamber forming a pluralit7 of cylinders, said cylinders occupying,` the entire circumference of said annular chamber, a double acting piston in each cylinder and operative connections between said pistons and said crank shaft.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of August, 192L HOWARD S. THORPE. 

